My single-board computer picks

Victor Truong

So you might have heard here and there about a computer called the Raspberry Pi. In case you haven't, here's a picture of it so you know what I'm talking about:

It's actually not that big; it's essentially a credit card-sized computer. Neither is it expensive: it costs just $35, so if you accidentally fry it when you're tinkering, it won't leave a hole in your wallet. Let's take a look at what the latest model of the Raspberry Pi has to offer first:

CPU: Cortex-A53 quad-core @ 1.2GHz

GPU: Broadcom VideoCore IV @ 400MHz

RAM: 1GB LPDDR2

Networking: 10/100 Ethernet

Storage: microSD

Ports:

1x Ethernet

4x USB 2.0

1x Micro-USB

1x HDMI 1.3

1x 3.5mm audio/video jack

However, the more serious tinkerers may find the Raspberry Pi lacking when it comes to projects that are more demanding power-wise. Luckily, the Raspberry Pi isn't the only single-board computer on the market. Below are some of the SBCs I've handpicked, based on superior specifications and... aesthetics.